3 dead in St. Joseph County accident that "split vehicle in half"

Three people are dead after a driver lost control of a vehicle and struck a tree, causing the vehicle to split in half, according to St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office. (FILE)

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP, Mich. —

Three people are dead after a driver lost control of a vehicle and struck a tree, causing the vehicle to split in half, according to St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Bradley Balk said in a press release that around 2:18 a.m. on May 26, deputies responded to the intersection of Fairchild Road near Klinger Lake Road in Lockport Township to an accident that included multiple fatalities.

Upon investigation, deputies determined the 2002 Mercury Sable, occupied by 23-year-old Damian Long, 29-year-old Christina Slusher and 20-year-old Kassidy Robinette, was traveling eastbound on Fairchild and lost control of the vehicle upon entering the curve in the road. The vehicle left the road and struck a tree. According to a press release, deputies said "the force of the accident caused the vehicle to split in half, killing all three occupants."

The investigation determined speed is a factor in the accident, but it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were used.